Ethical guidelines and legislative proposals at European level are urgently needed to ensure that the major socio-economic transformations triggered by artificial intelligence (AI) will lead to a better quality of life for European citizens, the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) states in an opinion drafted by Jan Trei (EE/EPP), Mayor of Viimsi Rural Municipality.
In a recent communication the European Commission sets out a European initiative on AI, aiming to boost the EU's technological and industrial capacity and AI uptake across the economy and to prepare for socio-economic changes it is bringing. However, EU's cities and regions regret that the proposed measures are not enough binding and ambitious and do not cover the public sector at local and regional level.
Read more: EU: Cities and regions contribute to the development of artificial intelligence
A revision of European company law means that establishing and setting up a business could become cheaper and easier.
An new set of rules to facilitate the digital operation of business procedures under new European company law has been provisionally agreed by EU co-legislators. The new rules aim to save businesses time and money, while increasing safeguards against fraud and abusive behaviour through online identity checks.
Seven southern EU member states including France, Italy, Spain and Malta are positioning themselves as Europe’s leaders on developing blockchain technology to be used by governments.
A grouping known as the “Mediterranean seven” on Tuesday called on Brussels to help promote ‘Distributive Ledger Technology’ (DLT) that is most associated with cryptocurrencies but is increasingly being used by governments to offer services to citizens.
Read more: Mediterranean EU countries make push on blockchain technology
A new agreement has been reached to accelerate innovation in the smart cities and smart mobility industries in Europe.
Europcar Mobility Group, a key player in the field of mobility in Europe, announced the partnership between its Mobility Lab and smart city startup incubator Plug and Play Technology Center.
The partnership aims to identify and fund next-generation mobility solutions.
Read more: EU: Collaboration promotes smart city and mobility innovation
Two-thirds of Europe’s public sector services are now available online, according to the latest research by Capgemini.
Through its annual eGovernment Benchmark report, Capgemini aims to investigate how well governments across Europe are digitising their services.
Read more: Two-thirds of Europe’s public sector services are now available online: Capgemini report